Under David’s plan, a homeowner with a property assessed at $70,000 would see their taxes go up $7.86 for the year in 2015.

Total spending in David’s 2015 budget would increase to $91.9 million, a 3.7 percent increase over the $88.5 million budget adopted in 2014.

David, a Republican, said stabilizing the tax rate was a major priority of his proposal. He highlighted tax rate increases under the former administration of Mayor Matthew T. Ryan, a Democrat, with increases of 14 percent in 2009 and about 7 percent in 2008 and 2013.

In 2014, the city’s tax rate increased 0.13 percent.

“One of my goals is to restore tax stability and avoid wild tax swings from year to year,” David said.

Police spending would increase under David’s proposal. David said he intends to hire three additional police officers in 2015, increasing the police force to 138 members.

The costs of one officer would be split between the city and Binghamton University, which would supply $50,000 of the officer’s salary. The additional officers would make $33,946 in salary, according to the proposed 2015 budget.

Since taking office in January, David has hired four additional officers and reiterated his intention to fully restore as many of the 20 officer positions cut since 2006 as possible.

“I want to increase our police department’s visibility and presence, sending a message to criminals that this City will fight to protect its streets and neighborhoods,” he said.

Public safety makes up the bulk of David’s proposed $64.6 million general fund budget, at $34.3 million.

While the police force would continue to grow under the plan, a total of 10 positions would be eliminated under David’s proposal. Nine of the positions are currently vacant and would be eliminated in the 2015 budget, including the Chief Information Officer, a firefighter and a master electrician.

David’s plan would also layoff a senior planner in the city Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development. David said the planning department’s staff doubled over the past eight years.

“Times are tough and for all of us and sacrifices need to be made in departments where employees are on the front lines right through top management,” he said.

David also touted his proposed infrastructure program which would rely heavily on state and federal funds. Projects the city hopes to secure funding for include $2.1 million for bridge repair and reconstruction, $3 million for flood mitigation and stormwater management, and $600,000 for a State Street gateway project.

The projects would be funded between 80 and 100 percent by the state and federal government, David said.

Blight and property demolitions were also a point of emphasis in David’s proposed budget. The city tore down buildings on eight properties in 2014, using $161,525 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

David hopes to double that number by pledging an additional $160,000 in 2015 for demolitions of city-owned properties acquired for tax delinquency.

“It’s time we do more to address this form of blight,” David said.

Following David’s presentation, City Council was happy to see the small tax rate increase. Councilwomen Lea Webb, D-4th District, and Teri Rennia, D-3rd District, wanted to review the proposal to see how David achieved the minor change from last year’s budget.

Webb said she was surprised the proposed tax rate increase was so small without dipping into the city’s fund balance. The city should investigate increasing home ownership and creating jobs to bring in revenue, not just federal or state funds, she said

Rennia said she was supportive of the small tax rate increase but surprised to see how small it was. She said she wants to look closer at how the $2.5 million increase in the general fund is offset.

“I’m very glad that the proposed increase is where it is but I do think we need to make sure what this budget is doing is sustainable,” Rennia said.

Councilman Joe Mihalko, R-2nd District, said he’s glad the mayor is focusing on tax rate stability and said he was glad to see the small increase. He also praised David’s proposed increase to the city’s police force.

“I think the police officers are doing a great job out there now but they need extra help,” Mihalko said.

Councilman John Matzo, R-6th District, said he expected a higher tax rate increase but was glad to see the small increase. He said the small increase was something residents would be happy to see.